My family and I recently visited Key West, Florida for the first time and it was such a perfect little getaway! It was so much more than I expected it to be, so of course I had to put together a guide on where to stay, what to eat, and things to do, including travel tips and suggestions!
We visited in March and the weather was definitely ideal. It was breezy and cool in the morning (60’s) and warmed up to the upper 80’s by midday- perfect for getting some sun by the pool. If you travel in the spring you avoid hurricane season and it’s more reasonably priced. Plus, St. Patrick’s Day in Key West is a partier’s playground – I was mesmerized that open container laws dont exist and people just walk around the street drinking lol!
Whether it’s your first trip to Key West or not, you’ll definitely want to plan ahead and familiarize yourself with the area to maximize your time. It is such a bright and colorful town so you wont want to miss any of it!
places to stay:
we rented an airbnb right on duval st (with a private pool) last year, but stayed in Key Haven estates this year & would highly recommend doing that if you have a bigger party/like your space.
if you’re traveling solo/wanting a more inclusive resort style these hotels looked great:
things to do:
-ghost tour
-trumans little white house
-hemingway house
-spa at ocean key
– check out Dante’s Pool Bar
-rent a boat/party cruise or glass bottom boat tour ( Boatsetter or GetMyBoat are great options w/captains)
– watersports, kayak, paddle board, jetski
-golf cart/bike around the island
-watch sunset from mallory square
-bar crawl down duval st
-take a pic at the southernmost point
– go offshore fishing
where to eat:
Key West’s dining is unique and casual (it’s not unusual to see the occasional chicken/rooster stroll by your table- something I was definitely caught off guard about my first time lol) and almost everything is pet friendly, especially if they’re small! Seafood is the foundation of much of the local fare; however, Caribbean and Cuban influences add a bit of a kick to your standard fish dish.
–Latitudes on sunset key – books out months in advance because its on a private island (B, L,D)
–La te da (owner used to live in oc and started the crab bag!)
–Banana Cafe for breakfast
–Benihana has traditional hibachi with an amazing waterfront view. The tables are tiered so each table basically has a great view of the water.
–Sarahbeth’s for breakfast (one of my go-to’s from new york opened a place here in the conch republic!)
– Pinchers is a Florida chain seafood restaurant if you’re in the mood for crab claws, etc!
other recs:
blue haven or Two Friends for breakfast
better than sex for dessert!
santiago’s bodega for tapas!
Key West Personal Chef Martin if you want a dinner/provisions prepared for you!
safety + getting around
I highly recommend renting a golf cart or bikes (parking can start adding up if you’re on a budget so I’d recommend bringing your own bikes if you’re able to/not golf carting to cut down costs)
Taxis are available on the street and in front of the Key West International Airport (EYW). Plus, the Key West Department of Transportation operates public bus routes around the island. Ride-hailing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, also service the island. Very few people drive around the island, because parking is extremely limited and can be costly, especially in peak times.
The crime rate in the Florida Keys is low, but you should still use common sense when exploring Key West, especially at night and around Duval Street and Mallory Square. Definitely be sure to check for any safety flags and warnings when you’re visiting the water too. If you choose to get around on bike, do so safely and know that you are required to use bike lights at night.
Key West is really such a fun and exciting place to visit. Hopefully this guide gave you some good tips and the perfect little nudge to book your next vacation there! Let me know if I missed any of your favorite spots and dont forget to share if you decide to visit!
